Study Suggests Cell Phones May Lead to Heart Disease, Kidney Trouble
On 
Saturday, the European Research Institute for Electronic Components in Bucharest published a study that finds cell phones to potentially cause heart disease and kidney stones, Textually.org learned from Macedonia Online.
These serious complications -- according to the study -- arise from cell phones' causing red blood cells to leak hemoglobin, which then builds up.
Health risks associated with cell phones have been posited throughout the devices' history, theorized complications ranging from neurological to dental.
"We are still very much investigating the biological consequences of mobile phones," a spokesman for the consumer advocacy group Powerwatch told Macedonia Online. "But there certainly seem to be enough laboratory studies now saying there are effects to be very concerned." [From: Macedonia Online via Engadget and Textually.org]
Saturday, the European Research Institute for Electronic Components in Bucharest published a study that finds cell phones to potentially cause heart disease and kidney stones, Textually.org learned from Macedonia Online.These serious complications -- according to the study -- arise from cell phones' causing red blood cells to leak hemoglobin, which then builds up.
Health risks associated with cell phones have been posited throughout the devices' history, theorized complications ranging from neurological to dental.
"We are still very much investigating the biological consequences of mobile phones," a spokesman for the consumer advocacy group Powerwatch told Macedonia Online. "But there certainly seem to be enough laboratory studies now saying there are effects to be very concerned." [From: Macedonia Online via Engadget and Textually.org]
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nicole said 2:10PM on 12-29-2008
I have a chronic kidney stone problem, doctors have yet to tell me what the cause may be "drink more water" they always tell me, I assure you I drink plenty. But still with the constant pain and emergency room visits. Its hard for me to believe its from my cell phone (which is always by my side) but at this point I wont rule anything out. So I suppose this means my heart is next?
Reply
LiliMoM said 2:23PM on 12-29-2008
My Daughter has terrible kidney problems --- it may just be coincidence but the problems got much worse after she got her cell phone. She is on it all the time ---- texting, talking etc... Hummm - Kinda makes you wonder if there is something to this study.
matt said 2:56PM on 12-29-2008
For two decades now they have been searching to find a link between the cell phone and any possible human ailment. They have been unable to prove anything has such effects with any conclusiveness. In addition, in the timeframe in question since cell phones have been used by the majority of the public at very heavy useage rates, there have been NO significant or even slightly significant changes in the rate of brain tumors, kidney stones, etc among the adult or adolescent population versus what they were before the advent of cell phones and their common use. Any study that has come out to large headlines in the media about this topic always puts something about the tumor possibilities in the front of the article, but in the bottom states that no conclusive connection was found. The fact of the matter is that some people who use their toilet on a daily basis will get tumors, or kidney stones, or whatever. That does not mean that the toilet causes them. Many many people who use the same items on a regular basis DO NOT have any problems. In fact the vast MAJORITY of people do not. Over 95%. That is about the same as the GENERAL POPULATION that develops the same problems or disorders.
When some study shows you that over the course of the study period, with consistent phone use, toilet use, whatever you are studying, with proper controls and ruling out all genetic, environmental, dietary causes, etc, and the people saw a spike in the rate of tumors or stones or whatever vs the general control group of the public, then you can show causality.
No one, from any country, from any study over two decades has been able to do that. Despite the fact that they have all been trying really hard to do so, and the media has been dying to report that story. It hasn't happened. Maybe there is something to THAT.
Reply
thinkbeforeyouwrite said 6:27PM on 12-29-2008
Matt, how long have cell phones been around for? not long...maybe since the 80's, and many people didn't even have them then. If you knew anything about "studies" then you would know that it takes a while to find out the long term effects on the body from certain medications, or stuff we ingest. mark my word, we will be seeing effects from cell phones and laptops in about 20-30 more years, when people hit their mid 40's to 50's, is when certain cancers and other diseases creep up, and then they will start to look back at what they have in common, and then we will have our 'studies"
wendygoerl said 3:35PM on 12-29-2008
I don't think any amount of irradiation to organs, blood, what-have-you, comes anywhere near the death toll caused by the destruction of intelligence (a quality that cannot be direcly measured) that causes people to wrongly think they can navigate a shopping cart, much less a car, while they're texting and gabbing.
Reply
calvin said 5:26PM on 12-29-2008
Statistics show relationships that may not be cause and effects. Perhaps the link isn't the cell phone itself. but a lack of excersise. Cell phone on the belt means less effort sending and recieving calls.
Reply
Niki said 4:47PM on 12-29-2008
I find it fascinating so many people see cell phones as a health risk yet I encounter people YAKKING on them all the time! While driving, in dressing rooms at stores, in the freaking public bathrooms! If you all are so afraid of cells then HANG UP already! What in your life is so dang important you have to have a phone glued to your ear 24/7? I wish they were banned nationwide while driving, period.
Reply
Jerome said 8:06AM on 12-30-2008
I strongly agree with you niki. cell phones are important, but they arent exactly one of the vital organs of the human body. and everywhere i go, there isnt one person on their cell, even in my high school.
Steve said 8:08AM on 12-30-2008
You know Niki, I have always HATED that word "ban". I don't feel it is right to "BAN" anything, BUT!, If these idiots can't figure it out for themselves that talking and texting while driving is stupid then they should be banned. It's too bad people don't have the brains to stop using them before they kill themselves or others.
Blue said 4:52PM on 12-29-2008
according to the NTSB, cell phone use caused or contributed to as many fatal car accidents as drunk drivers. we should be at least a little bit concerned about that.
Reply
Blue said 5:16PM on 12-29-2008
according to the NTSB, cell phone use caused or contributed to as many fatal car accidents in 2006 as drunk drivers did. we should be at least a little bit concerned about that. those deaths were almost 100% totally preventable. just sayin'....
have a nice day!
Reply
N said 5:53PM on 12-29-2008
Matt: that's quite a diatribe! You don't happen to work for LG, Blackberry or Verizon do you?!
Reply
Ace said 7:16PM on 12-29-2008
The key phrase in the report is "MAY POTENTIALLY" which is not a strong corallary. It's like saying driving may potentially cause a sprained ankle.
Until a recognized long term study utilizes a phrase stronger than "may potentially cause" I'll continue to utilize my wireless device(s).
Reply
kermit230 said 7:25PM on 12-29-2008
I'll believe it when I actually see it. But for now, 20+ years of cell phone usage in this country and no reported incidents is enough to convince me that they're harmless.
Reply
Leann said 7:28PM on 12-29-2008
I get kidney stones bad. I did not start getting them until I was pregnant with my daughter. That was about a year or two after I got my cell phone. However, I also drink a gallon or more of milk a day. That could contribute also.
Reply
glamour716 said 9:50AM on 12-30-2008
I don't use my cell phone that often really. It just sits around in my pocketbook or on the table. I only use it for "emergencies" (meaning contacting parents), or if I'm in a waiting room and I just play around with it. I should tell my mother, who you ALWAYS see on her cell phone and it irritates my father and I!! I tell her all the time, but she never listens. I should bookmark this and show it to her, maybe it'll change her. It probably won't either way, because most people look at things and say they'll stop and it may happen for aweek, but the next week, you're back to your old habits.
Reply
fran said 1:33AM on 3-11-2009
I think I am the only person in the world who does not have a cell phone and I never will get one. I do believe that they will cause health problems down the road if you are on it a lot.
Reply